Golden Wedding Anniversary of King Harald V and Queen Sonja

[wartenberg7]

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

Thanks polyesco & iceflower!


Read post 7.

Thanks! Still I would have found it more fitting if they placed the house somewhere near the K and Q´s private Oslo residence (on Bygdöj it is located, isn´ t it?)

[W.Y.CII]

Love the then and now photo.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Originally Posted by wartenberg7

Thanks! Still I would have found it more fitting if they placed the house somewhere near the K and Q´s private Oslo residence (on Bygdöj it is located, isn´ t it?)

You're welcome!

I for one couldn't think of a more fitting place than Maihaugen. - And it's not that the Regent Couple can't visit it, because they often spend time at Nordre Jørstad gård, a residence also located at Maihaugen, which is put to their disposal.

BTW: Bygdø kongsgard (the Regent Couple's summer/fall residence in Oslo) is owned by the state.

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Well, I was a bit busy last night, but here's a summary of yesterday's opening of the Queen's Childhood Home:

photo 1: The big painting on the wall is of the Queen's father, clothing retailer, Karl August Haraldsen. - He died in 1959 at the age of 69.

photo 2: The big painting on the wall is of the Queen's mother, Dagny Haraldsen (I write about her in post 13).

Photo 3: The big painting on the wall is of the then 6-year-old, Sonja Haraldsen.

Photo 4: The three pictures on the piano is of the Queen's sister, Gry Haraldsen (who committed suicide in 1970) and two of her four children.

More about the house:

Most furniture, objects, paintings and photographs come from the Queen and members of the Haraldsen family - while a few things have been reconstructed.

The first floor: Represents the 1960s, from when Harald and Sonja spent time there. - Opens tomorrow on the BIG day.

The second floor: Represents the 1930s, from when the Queen was born, and people will be able to see her nursery. - Opens next year, since it isn't done yet.

Outside: Its original look from 1935.

The Queen's speech: Tuengen Allé 1b på Maihaugen - kongehuset.no - translation

Kjell Arne Totland @TV2KjellArne
DEEPLY MOVED... #QueenSonja was deeply moved when she reopened her childhood home #TuengenAlle1B 50 years #otd after she moved out of it to marry #CrownPrinceHarald - now #King of #Norway. The fully furnished house has noe been moved to #Lillehammer. #GoldenWedding #royals

Queen Sonja (like the King) has never been afraid of showing emotions in public, and she almost started crying when answering questions from the press.

And let's go through some of what she talked about in the two NRK articles posted by iceflower:

A bit down in the below article - you will find a 4 min video from the press-meeting yesterday (inside the house):
She talks about how impressed she is with the staff at Maihaugen, and says that ''the feeling you get when you enter the house is actually the same as 50 years ago''. - She just waits for her mother (Dagny) to ''come down the stairs''.
The only thing different, according to the King, is the smell.
The Queen is asked whether she and the King are planning to visit the house often? Well, she said that she will be helping the people at Maihaugen with the second floor, and that they (she and the King) are going to ''drop by'' from time to time when they are at Jørstad gård (their residence at Maihaugen):
Dronningens barndomshjem åpnet - NRK

This article contains 3 videos from an exclusive NRK interview, which was recorded a few days ago, and will be sent on television tomorrow evening.
Everything she says in the videos is written down in the article - and the google translation is quite good, so it's really worth a read:
Her ble forholdet mellom Harald og Sonja berget - NRK - translation

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BTW: Doesn't the Queen look GREAT for 81?
Still out in the mountains on her trekking-tours and everything.

[Stefan]

You wrote that Dagny Haraldsen moved out of the House in 1974. Did it afterwars still belong to the Haraldsen Family or was it then sold.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

After what I know, it remained in the family.

The Queen's nephew, Dag Swanstrøm (the son of her sister) has lived there in recent years. - A questionable businessman, convicted of fraud twice, but very close to his aunt.

BTW, didn't I wrote 1976?

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Well, I have watched the first episode (which is about the the Regent Couple's marriage) of the 7-part 2016 documentary ''Konge og Dronning i 25 år'' (King and Queen for 25 years) on NRK1 this evening.

And that put me in a writing-mood, so here's a marriage in brief:

The years leading up to the wedding in 1968:
As most of you know, CP Harald was supposed to marry a princess, not a commoner, who was the daughter of a clothing retailer.
But in 1959, he met Sonja Haraldsen at a dinner hosted by some fellow friends, and then it was done. However, the Queen claims they'd met a few years earlier, as young teenagers at a sailing event, and that Harald had helped her with a scarf. - He OTOH claims he doesn't remember it.
Anyway, the romance blossomed between them, friends kept their mouths shut and King Olav even invited Sonja (whom he thought was just a regular friend of his son) along with other friends to a birthday dinner for Harald at the palace, which she happily attended. - But when King Olav finally found out, he made it clear to his son that a woman without royal blood was out of the question for an heir to the throne, because it could put the future of the monarchy at risk.

And the rest is history: Nine years with waiting, a unanimous press who meant that ''the monarchy would end'' if Harald married a commoner, shocked politicians, a court and two governments who sent out press releases denying that the CP intended to marry her, and Harald and Sonja who tried to break up on several occasions, but who always ended up being back together again, etc, etc.
However, in 1967, the CP told his father that if he couldn't marry Sonja Haraldsen, he would remain unmarried. King Olav then started to think, and invited Sonja on board The Royal Yacht.
He sought advice from the government and the parliamentary-leaders in the Storting. Prime Minister Per Borten (from the Centre Party) went the king's errand, and only the Liberal Party's parliamentary-leader Bent Røiseland was positive. The others were awaiting or critical of such a marriage.
And 1967 turned to 1968 without the king receiving a formal response from the government. - The Prime Minister didn't know what he should advise HM to do.
But King Olav had to give an answer to his son, and he decided to say ''yes'' (well, he didn't really have much of a choice).

Parenthood:
Well, both Haakon and Märtha have told of two hands-on parents who, despite much traveling, always were there for them, and who loved to hug and kiss their children (something King Olav didn't like).
And when you think about it, perhaps they thought having lost two children (through CP Sonja's miscarriages), they had to take extra good care of the two other ones.

Marriage Problems in the 1980s:
Yes, as in most other marriages, there were some problems. - But according to the Regent Couple and their friends, not as serious as the media wrote in 2006.
And we must remember that (despite what is called his ''magical kindness and warmth''), the King was raised to discuss things with himself and nobody else before making decisions, and this along with a difficult father-in-law didn't make it easier for CP Sonja.
Where do I have this from? Well, Queen Sonja has mentioned it in several interviews (including one that was done with Aftenposten last year).

And the serious journalist Per Egil Hegge writes in his authorized biography of the King from 2006, that a political figure from the 1980s told about a discreet person from the circle around the palace who wanted to know how the political Norway would react if the CP Couple took out separation. - It was of course emphasized that the request was purely hypothetical.
The message back (from the politicians) suggested that such a thing would be very difficult to deal with for the public and the nation, and that it could have consequences for the position of the monarchy and perhaps also its future.
Both the King, Queen and the court have told Hegge that this is unknown to them.

But in a speech at Akershus Palace during the Silver Wedding Anniversary in 1993, the King did say this: "On the outside, everything has been in place for an harmonious and good life together, but of course we have also learned that there is nothing automatic for it to go well. Living together in a marriage is a lifelong learning, a constant challenge to show each other understanding, consideration and trust.

Even in marriage, which is based on a mutually binding love, it happens unfortunately that spouses are hurting each other. The crucial thing is that both parties have the will and ability to forgive and put behind what has been settled. For my part, I am certainly convinced that the marriage, home and community in a family are worth fighting for.''

Later life together:
Although they have separate bedrooms and enjoy themselves without each other's company, there is no doubt that they love each other. - And as TV2's royal exert Kjell Arne Totland said last year: ''The Queen deserves a lot of credit for that we have such a happy and beloved monarch in this country. - And the King has himself said that she means everything to him, and that he could never have handled the role of monarch without her.''

[Tatiana Maria]

Thank you! This is immensely helpful to those of us unable to view the documentary or understand Norwegian.

I wonder how Crown Prince Harald viewed the future of the Norwegian monarchy. With most of the press and politicians backing up his father's expectation that a marriage with Sonja would be harmful to the monarchy, and as the only heir in his generation, the risk of beginning the downfall of the monarchy if he married Sonja or remained unmarried had to be taken seriously. Was he honestly content to see the Royal House become extinct if he remained unmarried, or abolished if the expectations were proven correct? Did he perhaps foresee that he and Sonja would be allowed to marry in time, and that Sonja would win the respect of the people?

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

The house is a typical example of the architecture of the 1930s with a functionalistic style (called ''funkishus'' in Scandinavia), designed by Ernst Motzfeldt.
Is it architecturally important? No, I won't say that, but Maihaugen Museum needed a house from the 1930s in its residential area, so why not use the Queen's childhood home. - Especially since the house should have been torn down, anyway, due to development in the area at Vinderen in Oslo.

I was more surprised that it wasn't larger, since Sonja's family was affluent enough to send her to finishing school in Switzerland.

[Stefan]

The entire Wedding broadcast from 1968 was shown again by NRK

https://tv.nrk.no/serie/kongefamilie...168/29-08-1968
What i found interesting is that at the start of the Service Sonja was seating at the one side next to her mother and Harald opposide next to King Olav. When they went to the Altar he mother went to the other side and seat next to Kin Olav. And onkly after they had been pronounced man and wife Harald and Sonja where seating together.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Congratulations to my utterly amazing King and Queen!

Blog-post from TV2's royal expert Kjell Arne Totland (really worth a read):
He writes that the Regent Couple has strengthened and modernized the monarchy - and that family life with wife, children and now children-in-laws and grandchildren have undoubtedly helped shaping our ''folkekjære'' (beloved) monarch: Til lykke & lykke til! - translation

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Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Thank you! This is immensely helpful to those of us unable to view the documentary or understand Norwegian.

You're very welcome!

But the stuff about ''parenthood, marriage problems and later life together'' is taken from my head after watching lots of other documentaries/interviews and my reading of several books.

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

I wonder how Crown Prince Harald viewed the future of the Norwegian monarchy. With most of the press and politicians backing up his father's expectation that a marriage with Sonja would be harmful to the monarchy, and as the only heir in his generation, the risk of beginning the downfall of the monarchy if he married Sonja or remained unmarried had to be taken seriously. Was he honestly content to see the Royal House become extinct if he remained unmarried, or abolished if the expectations were proven correct? Did he perhaps foresee that he and Sonja would be allowed to marry in time, and that Sonja would win the respect of the people?

Question 1: He was once asked by a journalist whether it would've been a "menneskelig katastrofe" (human catastrophe) for him ''personally'' if the monarchy had fallen, due to him not marrying anyone other than Sonja?
To that he said ''no,'' but he thinks he had felt a lot of guilt, especially for letting down his father and Norway.

Question 2: Well, he has never talked much about that in interviews, but he has said that he thought the time would ''help and work'' for them.

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

I was more surprised that it wasn't larger, since Sonja's family was affluent enough to send her to finishing school in Switzerland.

The Haraldsen family had enough money to send her to Switzerland, but they were far from what I would describe as rich.

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Today's happenings:

14:45: Princess Astrid, Princess Märtha Louise and her children and The CP Family will drive in cortege from The Royal Palace to Oslo Cathedral.

14:50: The Golden Couple (Their Majesties The King and Queen) will drive in open-car procession from The Royal Palace down Karl Johans gate (the main street of the city of Oslo) to Kirkegata (Church Street), where they will turn into Oslo Cathedral.
And as I mentioned in post 12, they will use the Lincoln Continental from 1966, with the registration number A-5.

So what does this mean? Well, it means that The Regent Couple will be driven in the same car on the same route as during their wedding in 1968.

Photo of the then CP Couple in Karl Johans gate in 1968, during their Wedding.

Photo of the Regent Coule in Karl Johans gate in 1993, during their Silver Wedding Anniversary.

And here's a picture from the balcony, also during the Anniversary in 1993.

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The Church Service: Will be conducted by The Bishop of Oslo (since 2017), Kari Veiteberg. - Singers, choirs, cantors and priests who are employed at the Cathedral will also attend.

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After the service, the King and Queen will drive back to the palace in the same way - and in the same car.

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About Oslo Domkirke (Oslo Cathedral): Is the main church for the Church of Norway Diocese of Oslo, as well as the parish church for downtown Oslo. The present building dates from 1694-1697.

The church's connection to the NRF:
1929: Wedding of CP Olav and the then Princess Märtha of Sweden.
1938: Funeral of Queen (Consort) Maud.
1954: Funeral of CP Märtha.
1957: Funeral of King Haakon VII.
1968: Wedding of CP Harald and the then Sonja Haraldsen.
1991: Funeral of King Olav V.
And several Birthday-services for King Haakon and King Olav, the Silver Wedding Anniversary-service for the Regent Couple in 1993 and their 75th Birthday-service in 2012.

Photos of the church: Outside - Inside.

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Television-Coverage:
Will start on NRK1 at 11:40 and last to about 17:00.
Summary of the day from 17:50 to 18:50.
Evening coverage from 19:45 to about 21:00 from Maihaugen in Lillehammer.

TV2 News Channel will also have broad coverage of the church service, and will talk to their royal expert Kjell Arne Totland throughout the day.

I will post live-links if available.

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Photos of the King and Queen - NRK

[Stefan]

Didn't Olav and Märtha marry at Vor Frelsers Kirke instead of Domkirke?

[ROYAL NORWAY]

No, that's the same church.
Vår Frelsers kirke (Our Savior's Church) changed its name to Oslo Domkirke in 1950 on the occasion of the city of Oslo's 900 anniversary.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

No, that's the same church.
Vår Frelsers kirke (Our Savior's Church) changed its name to Oslo Domkirke in 1950 on the occasion of the city of Oslo's 900 anniversary.

Thanks. I had thougt it had been a different church. The one where the Service for the 70th birthday of the King was held (Don't remember the name).

[ROYAL NORWAY]

The King's 70th Birthday-service was held at Trefoldighetskirken (The Trinity Church) in Oslo.

[marian]

Hi, thankyou for all the information. Can we see the ceremony for tv? And where?

[ROYAL NORWAY]

NRK1 is still sending the Wedding from 1968, I Really enjoy it.

The coverage starts in about 2 min, don't expect big crowds, because that's not how we do things in Norway.

We are a laid back country, so expect some people on their bicycles and stuff, while the royals are driving to church.

NRK LIVE

Read about today's happenings in post 30.

Edit: NRK talk to their royal reporter Kristi Marie Skrede and the amazing Kåre Willoch (the almost 90-year-old former prime minister from the Conservative Party).
He is so amazingly fit, and is respected on both side of the political spectrum here.

Edit: The large royal standard is flying over the palace.

Edit: Kåre attacks the republicans, he is RULING.

Edit: The royals will start to arrive in 20 min.

Edit: NRK is now airing the King's speech from the Silver Wedding Anniversary in 1993.
I quoted some parts of it in post 26.

Edit: Government ministers arrives.

Edit: It looks like Kåre is going to provide commentary during the entire broadcast.

Edit: There are actually more people in Karl Johans gate than I thought it would be.

Edit: CP MMs mother, Marit Tjessem is inside the church.

Edit: Noooo: It's raining.

Edit: Princess Astrid, Princess Märtha Louise and her children and The CP Family are on their way.

Edit: Look at these crowds.

Edit: The Golden Couple are on their way.

Edit: The royals arrives at the church.

Edit: Look at that car, isn't she beautiful.

Edit: OML, they are arriving, I'm literally in tears.

Edit: Their Majesties The King and Queen walks into the church.

Edit: Both the NRK and TV2 coverage is perhaps a bit too much pro-monarchy for some.
Especially in contrast to what I've seen in the UK and DK, where they often talk about the monarchy/republic thing during celebrations (last time I saw it was during Frederik's 50th).

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Dagbladet video - with photos of the King and Queen during the past 50 years:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xir3K_Q1J8A

[ROYAL NORWAY]

Edit : Well, they will now drive back to the palace, where they will have a private dinner with the Ferner-family (that's the family of princess Astrid).

Edit : A royal reporter said on twitter that he hadn't (with the exception of the wedding in 2001) seen crowds like this since the funeral of King Olav V in 1991.
Because (as I said above) this isn't usual in Norway, so I'm very amazed by it.

Edit : OML: The crowds are still out.

[Stefan]

Originally Posted by ROYAL NORWAY

Edit : Well, they will now drive back to the palace, where they will have a private dinner with the Ferner-family (that's the family of princess Astrid).

Edit : A royal reporter said on twitter that he hadn't (with the exception of the wedding in 2001) seen crowds like this since the funeral of King Olav V in 1991.
Because (as I said above) this isn't usual in Norway, so I'm very amazed by it.

Edit : OML: The crowds are still out.

Did the Lorentzen's not attend? probably because they live so far away. And memberrs of the Queen's Family. I know her brother died a few years ago but there are probably other relatives.

[iceflower]

.

Here are some more photos of today's celebration:


** seher.no: Hyllet av «Skam»-stjerne på bryllupsdagen **


** seher.no: Takket folket slik de gjorde for 50 år siden **


** Pic 1 ** Pic 2 ** Pic 3 ** Pic 4 ** Pic 5 ** Pic 6 ** Pic 7 ** Pic 8 ** Pic 9 ** Pic 10 ** Pic 11 ** Pic 12 **

[polyesco]

Nice celebrations.

The CP family curtsying/bowing to the King and Queen
https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AFHiCnRJl...-wedding-5.jpg